Help Bangladesh
FROM PAGE 1
free, fair and participatory elections.
WE WANT CLIMATE JUSTICE
Prof Yunus said small farmers and artisanal livelihood-holders face great risks in Bangladesh.
“As I speak, over five million people witnessed the most devastating flood in their living memory in eastern Bangladesh.
“I would hence urge channelling robust resources for climate adaptation in the climate-vulnerable countries like Bangladesh. It is crucial to operationalise loss and damage funds by leveraging innovative solutions and additional finance.”
Prof Yunus called for access to technologies and increased capacity, particularly in agriculture, water or public health, while also stressing a shared vision of zero poverty, zero unemployment, and, zero net carbon emissions, which the world can materialise together.
ROHINGYA CRISIS A GROWING RISK
Bangladesh has been hosting over 1.2 million Rohingyas on humanitarian ground at significant social, economic and environmental costs.
The protracted crisis in Myanmar poses growing risks with national and regional security implications for Bangladesh.
Yunus said Bangladesh needs continued support of the international community in carrying out the humanitarian operations and their sustainable repatriation.
“Equally important is to ensure justice for the grave human rights violations committed against the Rohingya, through the ongoing accountability processes in the ICJ and the ICC.”
Prof Yunus said Bangladesh is ready to work with the international community to create an environment in Rakhine State in Myanmar for dignified and sustainable return of the Rohingyas to their homeland.
ASSIST DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Every year, developing countries face a significant SDG financing gap, estimated between $2.5 trillion to $4 trillion, and merely 17 percent of the SDG targets are on track to be achieved by 2030.
The Nobel laureate said high debt burdens, shrinking fiscal space, and adverse impacts of climate change put countries like Bangladesh at greater risk.
“Prevention of illicit financial flows and syphoning of resources from the developing countries merit greater attention.”
Increased international cooperation is needed to rechannel the assets stolen from the developing countries.
He said every year, nearly two and a half million Bangladeshis enter our labour market.
He called for the world to ensure that no youth in countries like Bangladesh gets left behind in the AI-led transformation.
The world also needs to ensure that AI does not diminish the scope or demand for human labour.
“Many have reasons to believe that unless autonomous intelligence develops in a responsible manner, it can pose existential threats to human.”
Prof Yuns recognised the role of Bangladesh’s armed forces during the July Revolution, saying that the soldiers stood firmly with the people, which demonstrates their commitment to place human rights at the core of peacekeeping.
GENOCIDE IN GAZA
Noting the genocide in Gaza, Prof Yunus said all those responsible for the crimes against humanity against the Palestinian people must be held accountable.
He called for an immediate and complete ceasefire to protect the Palestinian people from brutalities.
“The international community, including the UN, needs to act in earnest to implement the two-state solution that remains the only path to bring lasting peace in the Middle-East.”
He also urged both Russia and Ukraine to pursue dialogue and end the war.